“I’m not going to discuss that,” said Stewart. “There was no reason. It was ‘let go without cause.’”

“We decided to go in a different direction for town manager,” said Kee.

Contacted Wednesday, Goodine confirmed that he was terminated without cause, as his contract allowed. He said his termination was effective immediately but that he will receive six months of severance pay and health insurance, as stipulated by his contract.

“I wish the town well,” Goodine wrote. “We have been through enough this past 11 months [with the closure of the Verso paper mill], but Bucksport will be fine and the future is bright because there are a lot of people in this town that want to see Bucksport thrive!”

According to Kee, Mayor and Council Chairman David G. Keene and Paul Gauvin joined Kee and Stewart in voting to fire Goodine.